Integrative Acupuncture Manual Medicine

When Qi is blocked by stress, fatigue, poor diet, and other disturbances, it results in discomfort and disease.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine therapy that is backed by a large body of scientific research. Insertion of hair-thin needles into your body relieves pain and treats disease by restoring the normal flow of Qi (pronounced "chee"), the energy or life force that flows through the body.

Research finds acupuncture combined with moxibustion and manual therapy effective for the relief of neck pain. Several mechanisms explain the effects of acupuncture. It stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins, mobilizes the immune system, and activates natural opioids in the brain that relieve pain and promote sleep. Acupuncture also triggers the release of neurotransmitters and hormones that positively affect health.

Though it is most often used to relieve pain, acupuncture's wide-ranging effects make it a useful therapy for conditions affecting the digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, and more.

Medical Manual Therapy was developed over 25 years of private practice and education by combining several modalities of therapeutic disciplines including medical massage therapy, motor point release, ligamental manual therapy and therapeutic stretches. Medical massage therapy facilitates the circulation of energy (qi) and blood, warming, nourishing, and moistening the sinews and muscles of the body, as well as, releasing pain from the soft tissues of ligaments, tendons, muscles and associated joints..

Treatment SessionS

When you undergo acupuncture treatment, you lie comfortably upon a therapeutic table, while disposable needles are placed by a licensed acupuncturist at strategic locations that connect with deeper organs and tissue elsewhere in your body. The needles are so thin that you barely feel more than a slight pinch or tingling sensation. For the patient's comfort, I use the more expensive Seirin Japanese thin needles and needling technique primarily for Japanese and Chinese styles of acupuncture. However, I use thicker Chinese needles for the Trigger Point, Sports Medicine and Neuro-Functional styles. For Traditional Japanese Teishin (100% painless style), I use sterling silver mini-wands given to me by my Japanese master teacher, Funamizu Sensei.

After needle insertion, the lights are lowered and soft music is played to encourage healing relaxation. During a treatment, which lasts approximately 75 - 90 minutes, I may slightly twist the needles occasionally to "grab" the Qi or utilize electro-acupuncture on several of the needle pairs, or apply moxibustion technique to stimulate the movement of Qi further.

I also offer traditional Chinese fire cupping, air cupping, Vietnamese Gua sha (pronounced "sah"), and Japanese moxibustion (direct, indirect or kyuto shin) and may recommend these as part of your treatment with written permission.

Some conditions clear up with one or two acupuncture treatments. However, chronic health concerns may require multiple sessions 6 - 12. Acupuncture is particularly effective when used along with other innovative therapies.

Please note: Turning a breech baby and labor inducement are within the legal regulations for a licensed acupuncturist in NYS and I certainly am trained in this technique, however, legally these services require an additional $20,000 rider for obstetric coverage to the base malpractice insurance; therefore, I do NOT do these two treatments. However, there are other professionals who specialize in obstetric acupuncture who either have the rider or are legally carefree.